Why Should You Spay and Neuter Your Pets?

Spaying and neutering is an important topic for us to cover when you bring in your puppy or kitten for their first exam. We have two reasons for recommending a spay or neuter surgery for your pet: to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to keep your pet healthy for life. The Monongahela Animal Hospital team is dedicated to helping your pet make the best start on their lifelong journey with you.

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This is the only place I take my fur babies! They are so loving and really do a great job with your animals and they are very reasonable!

How Spaying and Neutering Helps Pets

We understand if you have reservations about spaying or neutering your pet. Any surgery is risky, and if your pet rarely goes outside, is it really necessary?

Yes. And while preventing pregnancy is certainly important, the health benefits to your pet are significant. When a pet is spayed or neutered, they:

Are less likely to develop breast cancer (females) or an enlarged prostate (males)

Will not develop testicular cancer (males) or uterine infections (females)

Will not experience frustrating heat cycles (females) or testosterone-fueled behaviors like spraying/marking, mounting, and aggression (males)

Are less likely to roam around looking for a breeding partner, which could put them in danger of getting lost, hit by a car, or being attacked by another animal

Have a better chance of living a longer life overall

Schedule Your Pet’s Spay or Neuter with Us

To discuss the next steps and schedule your pet’s spay or neuter surgery, request an appointment today.

Surgery Timeline for Dogs and Cats

Ideally, dogs and cats should be spayed and neutered before they reach adulthood. Cats, small dogs, and medium-sized dogs do well to have their surgeries by 6 months old. However, large and extra-large-breed dogs may need to wait until they are 9 months to a year old since they take longer to develop.

In addition to your pet’s age, we also need to consider their current health and overall medical history. If your pet has a problem that may increase risks during surgery, their spay/neuter date can be postponed. The most important thing is making sure your pet is as healthy as they can be and helping you make decisions that are in their best interest.

Request an appointment today or call (724) 258-8406 to learn more about our practice!